Welcome packet

[Jessie_K]

I am stage managing a Chinese Opera this summer and my director has asked me to make welcome packets for the 8 stars that we are bringing from China.  (Rehearsals and performances in NYC)

I am trying to figure out what information to include.  I want to keep it simple, seeing as how everything needs to be translated into Mandarin Chinese. 

I got subway maps.
I will include addresses of hotel, studios, theatre, etc.
I will scope out Chinese restaurants near these places and grab menus.

Luckily don't have to deal with parking or anything like that.

But what else should I include?  Any suggestions?

[jspeaker]

I would grab menus of all kinds of food places near.  Maybe list of doctors, laundry places, lots of touristy stuff...

[megf]

Have they been given contacts for local health service providers? Might be the province of your Co Mgr, but it can't hurt. Male and female professionals (particularly those who speak Mandarin) might prove helpful, depending on how involved the show is.

[centaura]

Are they going to be traveling with their own translators?  If not, the location of translation services.  I also second the health information and the variety of restaurants as well as the chinese ones.  Directions to the local china town might also be nice, if they find they need some stuff "from home" that they forgot or rant out of.

Maybe a short list of useful phrases translated as well?  Please, thank you, hello, etc.

-Centaura

[ljh007]

The first thing artists ask me when they arrive in town is: where is the grocery store?

I also have people asking to recommend massage therapists and otolaryngologists all the time, but I work in opera. 

[Balletdork]

also directions to the nearest duane reade!

and HAVE FUN- I love having international artists!

[ChaCha]

are they from a mandarin speaking part of China? I expect its obvious but if you are going to the bother of getting it all translated, make sure its into the right language (cantonese, shanghainese...)  But you packet contents sound pretty good. Public transport info is good - 'how to buy a ticket on the subway', etc as well as maps maybe? otherwise i second or third the notion of mediacal info. I spent a lot of time in the emergency 'foreigners' wing of a shanghai hospital with cast members (and ASM come to think about it) last year! Having the address handy at 6am on a Sunday morning was a bonus...

[Jessie_K]

Yes, they are all from Beijing and speak (and perform) in Mandarin.  The translator is hired full time for this production, it's necessary because in addition to the 8 people coming from China, we have 20 or so others that live here but still are more comfortable dealing in Chinese.

[Jessie_K]

I'm assuming you have a company manager.

I would suggest working together on this so conflicting info doesn't go out - make a super-packet, if you will.

If you DON'T have a CM, jeez, you are brave.

No, we don't have a CM.  I have been arranging housing (nightmare nightmare nightmare), flights, buses, the works.  The good thing is, the company acknowledges that it is not typical SM duties, so they are paying me separately by the hour for tasks along these lines.

I don't know if brave is the right word to use here . . .

[PSMKay]

You might want to include a little bit about basic street smarts/city attitude.  There's lots of folks who will take them for all they're worth.  Things like dealing with cabbies and street vendors, areas to avoid, make sure your bags are always closed and kept with you, etc.  I realize Beijing is a similar metropolitan area, but New York has its own subculture of crud that thrives on picking out/picking on foreigners.

[killerdana]

Also, something about US cultural norms on tipping (cabs, restaurants, delivery food).  Many countries have other systems or common percentages and in some countries I've been to you don't tip at all, or tip restaurants and not cabbies, etc.  Make them aware of how we do it here.

[LiLz]

Also, include information about money exchanges.  That was always a question for me overseas.  Also, they might want to know about places to worship.

They're really going to appreciate the work you're doing for them!

LiLz

[Jessie_K]

Thanks for your suggestions.  The welcome packets were well received by 4 out of the 8 people that were coming over.  Unfortunately the other 4 had last minute visa trouble and will not be joining us.  We have hired local performers instead, so 4 packets to waste.  The show opens this Tuesday.

[KMC]

Thanks for your suggestions.  The welcome packets were well received by 4 out of the 8 people that were coming over.  Unfortunately the other 4 had last minute visa trouble and will not be joining us.  We have hired local performers instead, so 4 packets to waste.  The show opens this Tuesday.

Ahh visas, such a pain in the rear!!

Glad the packets worked well for those who received

[ljh007]

My entire job right now revolves around visa applications (I need to secure about 50 visas each year) and travel/housing/hospitality arrangements, which means lots of welcome packets. This has been a fun thread to watch.